Public libraries in Nova Scotia are increasingly depending on fundraising to cover expenses as provincial funding stagnates. While most libraries are mandated to raise 3% of their operating budgets, some, like South Shore Public Libraries, are exceeding that target by raising over 10%. CEO Ashley Nunn-Smith highlighted their successful fundraising efforts, including events with popular authors, to support their operations. However, the lack of adequate provincial funding—only increasing once in 16 years—has led to service cuts and the recent closure of five branches in the Annapolis Valley Regional Library. Other libraries, such as Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, are also ramping up fundraising initiatives to meet budgetary needs, with strategies like donation stations and partnerships for programming support.
Why It Matters
The reliance on fundraising by Nova Scotia’s public libraries reflects a broader trend of inadequate government support for essential services. Libraries outside Halifax receive 70% of their funding from the province, which has not kept pace with inflation or rising operational costs, such as labor and utilities. The 2019 increase in provincial funding has proven insufficient, as evidenced by service cuts and branch closures. These developments illustrate the financial pressures facing public libraries, which serve critical community functions, as well as the challenges they encounter in maintaining services amid stagnant funding.
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